42 account of jheepfoknd in Rufsia. yu!y I'f. 



long as they did xha.t oi physics^ which has of late 

 years made such wonderful advancement, by follow- 

 ing the wise plan suggested by the above mentioned 

 real philosopher's, who were, and will ever remain, 

 even in the tomb, the glory of their country. 



Surely sir, I need not caution the society for the 

 melioration of Britifh wool, to whom this paper is 

 priacipally addrefsed, against permitting theoretic 

 reasoning, on the nature oi Jbeep, to influence any of. 

 their operations for the advancement of knowledge 

 pn that important subject. 



They will ceitainly regard as mere unsupported 

 conjeftures, the common place ideas, that the use- 

 ful animal which makes so deservedly the object 

 of their research, must be small to carry fine wool, 

 large to carry coarse 5 that it must be fed exactly in 

 this or in that manner ; and that it must inhabit 

 precisely a given climate, or which is the same thing, 

 live exactly at such a diftance above the level of the 

 sea, to enjoy the advantage of a fine fleece. 



We art certainly not as yet arrived at that point of in- 

 formation, to speaL positively on the subject, although 

 much has been done by intelligent gentlemen of late 

 years ; but must submit to a long and patient course 

 of judicious experinient, to be able to decide on facts 

 afserted with so much boldnefs. 



In the mean time, every one who wiflies well to 

 such a laudable undertaking, fiiould contribute their 

 mite by giving the best information their situation 

 and knowledge will permit, relative to the flieep in 

 the country they inhubir, including their descrip- 

 tion, measurement,, v/eight, fleece, food, and general 



